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NEW DELHI: India has launched Operation Amistad as a humanitarian relief and rescue mission in the wake of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes in the northern part of the country, killing over 1,400 people and causing widespread destruction. The humanitarian mission was announced by the ministry of external affairs.As part of the mission, two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft departed for Venezuela on June 26 carrying relief supplies, a 41-member Indian Army medical and rescue team, and two BHISHM Cube portable hospitals, the MEA said. The relief package includes 30 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, six tonnes of medicines and medical equipment, and a self-sufficient Indian Army Field Hospital capable of providing emergency medical care, trauma management and life-saving surgical support.The 41-member contingent comprises rescue personnel and medical professionals, including nine medical officers, who will assist Venezuelan authorities in search and rescue operations, emergency healthcare and humanitarian relief efforts.The Indian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire said the two aircraft transited through Abidjan before continuing to Venezuela.In a post on X, the embassy said, “Operation Amistad – Responding to the devastating earthquake that struck northern Venezuela, the two Indian Airforce C17s transited through Abidjan enroute to Venezuela carrying 35 T of relief equipment, an Indian Army Field Hospital contingent and two BHISHM cubes. The contingent comprises 41 personnel, including nine medical officers, and is equipped to provide emergency medical care, trauma management, life-saving surgical support and other essential healthcare services to those affected by the earthquake. The team is carrying approximately six tonnes of medical stores and humanitarian relief supplies provided by the ministry of external affairs. In addition, one of the two aircraft is transporting a BHISHM Cube (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri) under India’s Aarogya Maitri Project.” The death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes has climbed to 1,430, with more than 3,200 people injured and over 50,000 still missing, as rescue teams raced against time on Saturday to locate survivors days after the powerful 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes struck the country. Go to Source
